34 health care organizations* unite to ensure patients' a full range of health care provider
options and the right to choose among them.

July 27, 2006 — Washington, DC — In response to divisive efforts by the American
Medical Association (AMA) and other physician groups to limit the ability of licensed health
care professionals to provide care to millions of patients, the newly formed Coalition for
Patients' Rights (CPR) today urged all health care professionals to work together to counter
the AMA's actions.

The CPR was formed to ensure that the growing needs of the American health system can be met
and that patients have access to quality health care providers of their choice. The coalition
represents more than 3 million licensed professionals who provide a diverse array of safe,
effective and affordable health care services.

In a joint statement endorsed by the 25 health care groups* that comprise the coalition, the
CPR expressed concern about the negative impact on patients if their ability to seek care from
advanced practice nurses, psychologists, nurse midwives, chiropractors, and many other licensed,
qualified health care providers is limited. The coalition is calling on the AMA and other physician
groups aligned with the AMA to cease their divisive efforts to oppose the established practice rights
of CPR members. The coalition also seeks an end to legislation at the state level that would reduce
provider options for patients.

The CPR is especially concerned about efforts by the AMA and other physician groups that have formed
the “Scope of Practice Partnership” to study the work and qualifications of “allied health
professionals” in rural and underserved areas.

“Limiting the ability of health care professionals to practice and provide appropriate care will
place an enormous burden on the health care system,” remarkedBarbara Blakeney, MS, RN, President
of the American Nurses Association, which is a member of the coalition.“As leaders of the health
community, this coalition seeks to maintain the broadest range of provider choices for everyone,”
said Blakeney.

The coalition questions the objectives of the AMA and other physician organizations when they seek
to advise consumers, regulators, policymakers and insurers on the ability of other health careprofessionals
to offer the services they are allowed by law to provide. Health careproviders are a critical source of
care for patients throughout the United States, especially those who live in rural areas and medically
underserved urban areas. Historically, people who live in rural areas have relied on a strong array of
practitioners to meet their health care needs. Advanced practice registered nurses, social workers, and
other professions that require rigorous educational preparation and ongoing instruction and certification
are the backbone of not just the rural health caresystem, but the entire health care structure in the United States.

“Organizations representing medical doctors (MDs) and doctors of osteopathy (DOs) are not in the best position
to conduct a balanced and fair assessment of an issue that directly affects their reimbursement,” said Mitchell
H. Tobin, JD, Senior Director of Professional Practice Affairs for the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists,
also a member of the coalition.

The coalition asserts that the AMA's actions affect the entire health carecommunity and all current and potential patients.

“Health care professionals other than MDs and DOs have been key to assuring access to care for millions of patients
in rural and underserved areas. Given the difficulty that so many people have in getting needed care, now is the
time for all health care professions to work together, not to work against each other to meet the need,” said Dr.
Russ Newman, PhD, JD, Executive Director for Professional Practice of the American Psychological Association.